COCC Groups Present “Love, Hope, and Inspiration”

“Love, Hope and Inspiration” will be presented in song by the Central Oregon Community College’s Cascade Chorale and College Choir, under the direction of James Knox, in two free concerts on Saturday and Sunday, June 9 and 10, both at 7:30 p.m., at the First Presbyterian Church, 230 NE 9th Street in Bend. Donations will be directed to the Tyler Eklund Fund.

Selections include the light-hearted “Thirty-Second Fa La La,” and “Tell My Ma (She is handsome, she is pretty, she is the belle of Belfast City)” as well as “Dirait,” a collection of French poems by Morten Lauridsen, that celebrate joyous beauty, sensuousness, love of music and of life.

Hope flows from the words of Robert Frost’s poems “The Road Not Taken” and “Choose Something Like a Star,” set to music by Randall Thompson. A collection of original pieces Knox wrote while traveling in Europe evokes images from a dream on a summer night in a faraway place.

Spirituals “I’m Gonna Sing ‘Till the Spirit Moves in My Heart” and “Glory Hallelu!” were born of slavery and convey hope, grace and inspiration. In “Ubi Caritas,” the French composer Maurice Durufle sets beautiful motets to music reflecting the inspiration of the words of God. The finale, “The Dreamers of Dreams,” sums it all up for the performers in this concert: "We are the music makers, we live a life of song."

No tickets are needed. Doors open at 7 p.m. For information, contact 383- 7512.

Those wishing to attend this event who have needs resulting from a disability should contact Gene Zinkgraf, ADA coordinator, at least three days in advance of the event. He can be reached at 383-7775 or through the college’s TTY number, 383-7708.